Ashland, Ore. Ashland Food Co-Op of Ashland, Oregon issues the update press release to clarify that we re-packed and sold Organic Raw Macadamia nuts in random weight bags at our retail store in Oregon only between January 5th, 2016 and February 4th, 2016. We do not have any internet sale or distribute affected product outside Oregon.
Ashland Food Co-op is recalling Organic Raw Macadamia nuts because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Ashland Food Co-op (AFC) sold affected Organic Raw Macadamia nuts in random weight bags at our retail store in Oregon only between January 5th, 2016 and February 4th, 2016. The nuts have a one month shelf life if refrigerated and were packaged in clear cellophane bags of random weights with an AFC bulk label (see example below).
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with AFC product. We initiated this recall because we were notified by our supplier, Hummingbird, of the bulk Organic Raw Macadamia nuts recall.
Consumers who have purchased affected product under the AFC bulk label between January 5th and February 4th are advised not to consume and return them to AFC for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 541-482-2237 between 8:30am and 4:30am PST, Monday thru Friday.
About the Ashland Food Co-op
The Ashland Food Cooperative is Southern Oregon’s first and only Certified Organic Retailer. The Co-op has a long history of bringing healthy, organic food to the community. What started as a buying club in 1972 has grown into a well-respected, deeply loved full-service cooperative grocery with over 10,000 owners. Additionally, with a focus on education, wellness and community, the Co-op offers cooking classes, local farm tours, in store tastings, free lectures and donates thousands of dollars to local nonprofits each year through their Community Grants program.
* We believe that none of the products being recalled were processed or offered through the national office.

* We strongly encourage you to notify your agencies within one business day from receipt of this notice.

* ALL cased and uncased inventories, both at the member level and agency level, need to be checked. This product may have entered member and agency warehouses through salvage, local donations, TEFAP, local purchases, retail pickups, food drives, or other avenues.

* For additional local details, please contact the Health Department(s) for the area(s) your food bank serves.
For full details on the recall, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm491100.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery